Cultural DiversityTeresa Rogers

Butler County ATCSummer 2010

Objectives• Students will:• List the four basic characteristics of culture• Differentiate between culture, ethnicity, and race• Identify some of the major ethnic groups in the United States• Provide an example of acculturation in the US• Create an example of how bias, prejudice, or stereotype can cause barriers to

effective relationships• Describe ways to avoid bias• Differentiate between a nuclear and extended family• Identify ways in which language, personal, space, touching, eye contact, and

gestures are affected by cultural diversity• Compare and contrast the diverse health beliefs of different ethnic/cultural groups• List five ways health care providers can show respect for an individual’s beliefs• Identify methods that can be used to show respect for cultural diversity

Culture

• The values, beliefs,

attitudes, languages,

symbols, rituals behaviors,

and customs unique to a

particular group of people

that is passed from on

generation to another

Includes:• Family relations• Child rearing• Education• Occupational choice• Social interaction• Spirituality• Religious beliefs• Food preferences• Health beliefs• Health care

Culture

• Culture is learned.• Culture is shared.• Culture is social in nature.• Culture is dynamic and constantly changing.

Ethnicity

• A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.

• Members share a common heritage, geographic location, social customs, language, and beliefs.

Common Ethnic Groups• African American• Asian American• European American• Hispanic American• Middle Eastern / Arabic

American• Native American

Race

• Classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics including:– Color of skin, hair, and eyes– Facial features– Blood type– Bone structure

• Cuts across multiple ethnic/cultural groups

Cultural Diversity

• Differences based on culture, ethnicity, and race that influence one’s behavior, self-perception, judgment of others, and interpersonal relationships

• Includes:• Family organization• Language• Personal space• Touching• Eye contact• Gestures• Health care beliefs• Spirituality• Religion

Cultural Assimilation

• Absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant or prevailing culture

• Requires that a cultural group alter their unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture

• However, in the US, we are striving for a society where cultural differences are appreciated and respected.

Acculturation

• The process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics.

• Occurs slowly over a long period of time.• Example:– Recent immigrants are more likely to use the

language and follow the behavior patterns of their origin country than their children or grandchildren

Sensitivity

• The ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others.

• It is essential for health care professionals to understand and respect these differences to provide care that meet the needs of all individuals.

Bias

• A preference that inhibits impartial judgment of others

• Common biases:– Age– Education– Physical size– Occupation– Sexual preference– Gender

Prejudice

• A strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information

• Causes fear and distrust of others• Interferes with interpersonal relationships• Health care workers must be aware of our

prejudices and to make every effort to obtain as much information about a situation as possible

Stereotyping

• Process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same

• It ignores individual characteristics and “labels” the individual

• May occur with regard to:– Race– Gender– Body size– Occupation– Ethnicity

Overcoming Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping

• Be conscious of your own personal and professional values and beliefs

• Learn as much as you can about different ethnic/cultural groups

• Be sensitive to behaviors and practices that are different from your won

• Remember that you do not have to adopt others’ beliefs, but you must respect them

Overcoming Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping

• Develop friendships with a wide variety of people• Ask and encourage questions from others to share

ideas and beliefs• Evaluate all information before forming an opinion• Be open to all differences• Avoid offensive language and jokes• Understand that mistakes happen. Apologize and

forgive.

Holistic Care

• Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person

• Meets not only physical needs, but includes social, emotional, and mental needs

• Health care workers must understand the cultural and ethnic beliefs in order to provide care the meet each of these needs

Family Organization

• Refers to the structure of a family and the dominant or decision-making personal in a family

• Nuclear family – usually consists of a mother, father, and children or a single parent and children

• Extended family – includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins

Language

• Based on the 2000 census, almost 20% of the population under 65 speaks a language other than English at home.

• Health care provides must determine a patient’s ability to communicate and intervene to help those who do not understand English by use of:– Translators– Family members– Gestures or pictures– Cue cards

Personal Space

• The distance people require to feel comfortable when interacting with others

• Varies greatly among ethnic/cultural groups• Health care providers must be alert to a

patient’s verbal and nonverbal cues to determine personal space

Eye Contact

• Eye contact is affected by cultural beliefs• Lack of eye contact is usually interpreted as

“not listening” but in some cultures is a sign of respect

• Health care workers must be alert to an individuals comfort level when using direct eye contact and adjust accordingly

Gestures

• Are used to communicate many things including agreement or disagreement

• Can vary among ethnic/cultural groups• Health care providers must be aware of how a

patient responds to gestures and avoid any that seem to be offensive

Health Care Beliefs

• Vary widely throughout all groups• Can affect an individuals response to health

care• Most cultures have common conceptions

regarding:– The cause of illness– Ways to maintain health– Appropriate response to pain– Effective methods of treatment

“Western” Medicine or Biomedical Health Care

• Based on the cause of disease and eliminating, treating, or preventing those causes

• Providers receive training and are licensed to practice as professionals

• Beliefs of this system include:– Encouraging patients to learn about their illness– Teaching self-care– Using medications and technology to treat illness– Teaching preventive care

Alternative Health Care Methods

• Becoming more widely accepted in the US and includes:– Nutritional methods – organic, herbs, vitamins– Mind and body control methods – meditation,

hypnotherapy, biofeedback– Energetic touch therapy – massage, acupuncture,

acupressure– Body-movement methods - chiropractic, yoga, tai

chi– Spiritual methods – faith healing

Spirituality

• The beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship to a higher power

• Is often described as an individual’s need to find meaning in life

• Is often expressed through religious practices, but is not the same thing as religion

Religion

• An organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power

• Are associated with a particular form or place of worship

• May include beliefs about birth, life, illness, death, and dietary practices

Other Belief Systems

• Atheist – a person who does not believe in any deity

• Agnostic – an individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved

Respecting Cultural Diversity

• Each individual must be regarded as a unique individual

• Ways to achieve this goal is to:– Listen as patients express their beliefs– Appreciate individual different differences– Learn more about cultural and ethnic groups in

your area– Recognize signs of prejudice, bias, or stereotyping